Lock device for well tools



Jan. 30, 1945.

la.v c. BAKER LOCK DEVICE FOR WELL TOOLS Filed Aug. 15. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Qa/saw C. 8A Kee,

1m30, 1945. R. @BAKER 2,3ss,4o`1.

LOCK DEVICE FOR WELL TOOLS Filed Aug. l5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 47A 40 42 41 s. 50 L 52 V INVENTOR.

.Ra/65N C. BAKER,

BYA

@www 4,.. mwa/'M ATTORNEY.

Pelenled Jen. so, 194s y UNITED sTliTlz-sA PATENT lol-l-lclz' l Locxpsvlczrllzllwam. rooms Y l Reuben -C. Baker, `Coalinga.. Calif., signor teA Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Vernon, C

ration oi' California alii., a corpo- Application August 15, 1942, Serial lNo. 454,951

s claimsY (cl. les-1 2) Thisinvention relates to well tools, and `more particularly to the locking portions of tools designed for subsurface operations in well bores.

Locking devices are used in connection with many well tools designed i'or operations in well 5 bores. One of the most common of such devices is a. J-.pin and slot arrangement employed in connection with packers, liner hangers, tubingranchors, well washers, etc. SuchJ, L and similar types of locks can function to maintain certain well tool parts in a deilnite position, or they can be manipulated'to release such Darts and permitl their performance of the particular action or operation in the well bore, such as to set a packer or liner therein, control a valve, etc. Diillculties it are sometimes encountered in unlocking this type y of device, and in relooking it after it-has been released `from locked position. One reason for this latter dinicultyiresides in the necessity for moving the entire running-in strinrg to which the tool is attached longitudinally to a particular and relatively fixed position, wherein the J-pin, is located adjacent the horizontal portion of the J-slot, before -the string can 'be rotated in the proper direction to eifect movement of the J-pin 26 into the horizontal locking slot portion. It is apparent that the inability to manipulate the run'- ning-in string to so locate the pin will preclude locking or relocking of the tool parts.

Accordingly, it is an object oi' the present in.4 30

vention to overcome the aforementioned diniculties fby providing a well-` tool device which can funetionto lock or relock parts of the tool in the particularposition required without the necessity for moving the running-in string to any particlllar, predetermined position.

A further object of the inventionis to provide a subsurface.' well tool embodying a releasable coupling or clutch capable of locking elements of a device in a well bore in a desired position. As 40 a more limited feature of this objective, such releasable coupling or clutch may be adapted lto lock casing engaging means, such as slips or pack- A ings, in retracted position.

Still a further object oi' the invention is to 45 provide an automatically engsgeable clutch ina well device whose disengagement is controlled by a running-in string attached tothe device;

A further object of the invention is to provide -Y a one-way or overrunnlng clutch type of lock device inv a well tool adapted to permit release vof the tool at will upon longitudinal movement of the running-in stringI in one direction, but which locks certain of the tool parts with respect nlug-ln string lll-the other longitudinal dll-eeuu;

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a clutch type of lock device for a well packer which automatically releases to permit movetionof the running-'in string. In a preferred form of the invention, the locking action is'automatically increased during elevation of the running-in string.

Anotherhofbject of the inventionuis` to provide a clutch device in a subsurface well tool for controlling movement ofv parts of the tool with respect to each other, in which engagement and disengagement of the clutch is controlled from the surface of the well bore through manipulation of the running-in string to which the tool is attached.

The invention has otherobjects that iwill become apparent i'roma consideration of the embodiment shown in the drawings accompanying and :forming .partof the present speciilcation. This form -will now be described-in detail,.but it is to ne understeodthatsuen detailed description is not to be taken in a limited sense, since the scope of the invention is best deilned by the claims appended hereto. Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in tion and Apilrtlyinv elevation, of a well packer embodying the present invention, with its partsl in retracted position for movement through a well bore or easing; e

Figure 21s a' cross section taken along the line I-ZinFigurel; I

Figure `3 is a cross section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a; longitudinal Section of part of the device taken along the line I-l in Figure 3;

Figure 5` is a cross section taken along the line v S-BinFigure 1;

Figure s is a view similar to Figure 1 disclosing the well packer with its parts in packed oi! condition within'a wellcasing;

'I is a cross section on anenlargedscaleY taken along the line 'I -l in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 4 disclosing the position occupied by parts of the clutch portion oi the wellv tool upon its elevation within the well `lavoro. .v

The invention is exemplified in the drawings to one another upon manipulation of the runu as lforming part of a well packer of the rendey.

valued, the packing actuator l2 upon elevation of the u of the casina.

. 2l areintegralwith'a sleeve l mandrel III, which has aV stop ring 23 secured .thereo No. 419,061, sied November 14,1941. This packer A is adapted to :be run in a well bore or casing B on the end of a tubular r running-in string C threadedly or otherwise attached to the upper end of the tubular mandrel id of thepacker. The

lower end of this mandrel is threaded into the upper end of a tubular packer body il, `to the lower end of which is 'secureda packing actuator I2 in the form of a guide.

l A tapered expander I3 mounted on the body is,

preferably prevented from turning with respect thereto by a key It secured to the exterior orfthe body Ii and received within a heyway l5 in the expander, so' as to permit relative longitudinal movement 'between the' body and expander, while preventing lrotation therebetween.- When-the tubular string C, mandrel Id andhody li are eleis moved towards the expander I3 to compress an intervening pach ing sleeve I@ surrounding the body and force it outwardly. to eiect an annular seal between the packing sleeve I6 onlyioccurs when the tapered expander I3 is prevented from moving upwardly, which results from anchoring engagementby a plurality of slips l1 cooperating with the tapered expander with the wall of the casing. The slips I1 have tapered surfaces I8 cooperable with companiontapered surfaoesllon the expander, the

Il and casing B. Such actuation of thel asesgcoi ends secured-to an upper drag collar or releasable coupling or clutch device 30 by an upper ring 3| suitably fastened thereto, as by screws 32. The drag and lock device 25 is coupled to the slip assembly :by means of a sectional tie or coupllng ring d3 secured to the lower collar 2G by screws 34, and having a lower inturnecl ange 36 receiving and iitting under an external flange 36 at theupper end of the slip sleeve 22. Rotation of the tubulary string C. mandrel Il) and drag device 25 is permitted without corresponding rotion of the slip assembly sleeve 22 andslips Il, due to the swivel type of action provided by the lower end of the coupling ring 33 and sleeve l into sealing engagement danse te.

'respect to the drag device, such elevation would also elevate the body II of 'the packer, and through the guide l2 and packing sleeve It elevate the expander i3 within the slips l1, since the latter are prevented. from moving upwardly by the drag device, to force the slips radially outwardly into anchoring engagement vwith the casing wall. A continuation of such upward movement causes compression of thefpacking sleeve It with' the casing B and body Il, in the manner herelnbefore described. Conversely,lowering of the tubular mandrel IB with respect to the drag device 26 permits retraction of the packing sleeve I5 from the casing wall and produces corresponding downward inclination of such surfaces being such as to" move the slips I1 outwardly toward the casing expander I3. Conversely, lowering of the expander with respect to the slips permits the latter to release from anchoring engagement with the wall of the casing and move inwardly to retracted position.

It is therefore apparent that elevation tubular string C, mandrel can effect anchoring olf the tool in packed oi condition through engagement of the slips 4I1 with the casing under the influence of the tapered expander I3, and they can'also eiect compression of the packing sleeve I8 between the expander I3 and guide I2 to produce its radial outward expansion into sealing engagement with'the wall 'I'heslips l1 are held together for Joint movement along the tapered expander Il to and from engagement with the casing by providing recesses 2B in their side faces which receive outwardly extending fingers 2I for guiding the slips from the casing, and for preventing their lon-` gitudinal movement exceptinunison by engaging the ends of the recesses 2II. These fingers 22 slidable on the thereto by screws 24 or the like ifor the purpose This sleeve 22, and the slips I1 assembled are coupled to a. comprising a lower collar 2l slldable on the mandrel I0, which receives the lower ends of a plurality of circumferentlally spaced outwardly bowed friction springs ofthe I0 and packer body II 21 hem` thereasainst m .s-

- scmbled relation by a ringe!! fastened to the collar by a. plurality of screws 2l. These springs are disposed around the mandrel with their unveil nl ls ined in toand oi' the tubular mandrel movement of the tapered expander I3, through engagement of the body shoulder 31 with the exf pander flangeSS, so that, the slips I1 are movable inwardly to retracted position, since they are prevented from moving longitudlnallyby the drag device.

It is important Ill and body yII can effect anchoring of the npacker in packed of! condition within the well casing, and that lowering of these members can effect release of the packer. It is, therefore, essential that some means be provided for preventing relative movement between the 'slips Hand the tapered expander I3 in order to allow the tubular mandrel In to be elevated without anchoring the tool in the well casing when the entire tool is to be raised within the well casing.

The usual device for locking slips with respect to an expander, or for that matter, for preventing relative movement until desired between cooperable parts of subsurface well tools generally, is a J type of lock. Such lock can include a pin operable within a longitudinal slot and an intersecting horizontal slot. When the pin is' positioned in the horizontal slot, the tool members are locked; and when the pin is positioned for movement in the longitudinal slot. the w01 meme drag` and lock device 2l,

- locking of-the design and the purpose Such devices can only and the tool may be manipubers are unlocked depending upon its lated in the desired fashion,

for which it is In be used.

occupies a single, predetermined position with respect to theslot, namely, tion thereof. If the pin and slot cannot he moved with respect to each tool parte' cannot ocmxr.

connection It is to benoten that the draf: device 2d engages if the tubular to note that upward movement be locked when the .s-pin- In the horizontal porother tol proper position. K

disadvantages and diillculties are with a retrievable -well but unless the mandrel is portion.

packer ol' the'type 'I'he inability to relock the slips Il with respect to the expander I3 might preclude retrieval of the to'ol from the well bore,since the expander could move upwardly within the slips and anchor them and the packer in the casing, in the event that the J-pin could not be reinserted into the horizontal portion of the The present invention overcomes suchdisad vantages and diiculties through its ability to effect relooking of the slips |'|l despitethe fact that lthe tubular mandrel Ill has not been moved completely to a predetermined locking position.

As disclosed in the drawings, the locking' device vis incorporated in the Iupper collar 3D of the drag device. Essentially, t

his device is a releasable coupling or clutch, preferably of the overrunning or one-way type. The upper portion of the mandrel I movable throughthe upper collar is formed with a series of circumferential teeth 35 adapted for engagement with corresponding teeth 4I formed in a coupling'or clutch element, consisting of a split ring 4|` surroundingthe mandrel. This ring is provided with external. spaced grooves or notches The ends 43, 44 of this ring are spaced apart. from one another to a substantial extent, leaving a circumferential space 45 in which the inner -end 45 of a stop member 41 extends. This meniber 41 may take the form of a pin threaded vinto the collar '30 with its inner end 40 tapered for cooperation with a corresponding tap'er on the 'trailing end 44 of the ring. The external .sur-

face 48 of the ring is tapered'in an upward and inward ldirection for cooperation with a corresponding taper, wedge or cam surface 45 formed in the collar Il. The ring 4| is held-ln the collar and is prevented from dropping therefrom 'by a closure 5| fastened to the lower end ot the collar by screws 5|, and preferably having a downwardly extending sleeve 52 for guiding and holding the upper collar I0 of the drag device coaxially of the mandrel 0. 'I'he mandrel Il is provided witha longitudi` nally extending clutch actuator or releasing key `I3, whichv is suitably secured to the mandrel and extends along its teeth 3l. This key extends] between. the ends'43, 44 of the clutch ring, and is designed to engage the ring to control itsmovement to and from clutching engagement with the teeth .3l on the mandrel. Such control results from angular movement of the mandrel Il within the upper collar 3l, and to permit this angular movement to' occur, the collar and closure are providedwith internal longitudinal grooves 55, 5l through which the key extends. y

The clutch ring 4| -is of the contractile type. and inherently tends to move inwardly into coupling engagement with the teeth ll on themandrel. to couple the collar 3|! of thewdrag device to the mandrel Il, and thereby indirectly cou-A ple the slips thereto and 'prevent relative movement therebetween. Whenever release 'of the coupling ring 4| from the mandrel 'Illa de- .f

aired, the mandrel is rotated a partial revolution 'illustrated 'in the drawings.

42 to increase its ilexibility,

leading end 43 of such engages the leading end 43 of the ring to expand it from engagement with the mandrel teeth 39.

It is to be noted that the drag device 25 engages the casing to prevent movement of the collar lll and the stop pin 41. .As a result. turning of the tubular string C andl mandrel Il) a partial revolution (in a clockwise direction, as seen from v the sur-face of the bore hole) causes the releasl0 ing key 53 to engage the leading end 43 of the clutch ring', forcing its trailing end 44 against the tapered end 46 of the comparatively stationary stop pin.` I'he'inclinat'ion o'n the trailing end 44 and the companion inclination on the stop pin 46 is such that engagement therebetween 'moves the trailing end outwardly -suiliciently so that its teeth 40 no longer engage the teeth on the'mandrel. A continuation of the ring movement through engagement of its leading end 43 by the releasing key 53 expands the ring 4| outwardly until its teeth are entirely free of the mandrel teeth (see Figure 7), which effects uncoupling of the upper drag collar vfrom the mandrel and permits upward movement vice. 'This action is necessary in anchoring the packer in packed oil condition in the well casing. Continuation oi.' the clockwise strain on the tubing string C maintains the ring 4| in unlocked or unclutched position duringelevation of the tubular mandrel I0, due to| the slidable ensagement of the extended releasing key 53 with the leading end 43 of the ring during its elevation with the mandrel.' Release of such clockwise strain on the tubular string and A'mandrel at any time immediately permits automatic contraction ofthe ring 4| into engagement with the teeth 39 of the mandrel, and immediately locks the dragdevice 2 5 thereto, so as to preclude further relative movement between the slips and mandrel I0, and consequently, between the extion andthe corresponding teeth 40 on the coupllng ring 4| face in a downward direction, to

permit downward ratcheting of the mandrel l0 50 with respect to the-ring 4|, but, nevertheless, au-

tomatically coupling the mandrel to such ring. and the collar 30 upon upward movement of the mandrel, Yexcept when the ring is expanded under the 15111111118 action of the mandrel I0 and key 53, as described above. Moreover. it' is to be noted that the engagement between the upwardly and inwardly inclined tapered surfaces 48, 49 on the ring 4| and collar or housing 30 increases the wedging action o f the ring against w the mandrel upon its upward movement within '.the casing.

In running the tool downwardly within the well bore, it is immaterial whether the releasing key. 53 and stop pin 4'|- hold the clutch ring 4| e5 in coupled or released position, Isince the ratchet teeth V39 on the mandrell permit downward movement of the mandrel through the ring and upper collar I0. Due to the resistance oi' the drag device 2s against die easing, which tends to hold 76 the slips I l in an upward position, such downward movement holds the packing sleeve IB and slips in retracted position. I1' desired, a stop pin 54 may be provided on the mandrel `I0 enmeable with-the lower collar 2t to positively 3 so that the releasing keyv or clutch actuator 53 l.

of the mandrel I0 with respect to the drag delimit the extent ot downward movement orthe locked position, on the drel I within the upper clutch collar 3l. When movingl downwardly within the well casing B, the clutch ring 4| is positioned against the closure 50, or in the lowermost portion of the collarA 30, where there is ample room for the ring to packer parte, and especially o! the tubular manexpand outwardly, because of the material cleari ance 55 or maximum width between the exterior of the ring 48 and the tapered surface 49 in ring 4| from the mandrel teeth 39, permitting the mandrel l0 to be elevated upwardly and efi fect upward movement of the expander I3 within the slips il, which will force them outwardly into anchoring engagement with the casing B,- and which will allow subsequent compression oi the packing sleeve i6 between the easing B and packer body iL The mandrel lli remains uncoupled from the drag' device 25 and slips i1 so long as such rotational strain is placed on the contractile ring 4I to hold it in expanded position clear of the mandrel teeth 39. Immediatelvupon release of the ring 4i, it automatically engages the ratchet teeth 38.011 the mandrel l0.

lWhen it is desired to release the well packer from the casing, the tubular running in string C and mandrel lvare merely lowered, and the packing sleeve I6 and slips. I1 moved to retracted p vsaid collar engageable with said clutch ring to' position, since the drag device 25 tends to hold the slips I1 stationary and the mandrel l0 is free to ratchet through the clutch collar 30 and its ratchet ring 4l, in the same manner as an overrunning or one-way clutch type of coupling device operates. As soon as the twbularstring C and mandrel i0 -are elevated, however, the

cor

predetermined 'position thereof., as in the prior art devices. The loclrlng device automatically unoouples upon longitudinal movement of one of its members in one direction, and can 'be selectively manipulated from the surface of the weh bore to control its coupling action upon longitudinal movement of said member in either direction.

I claim:

1. A well tool adapted for operation in a well bore, including a mandrel connectable to a running-in string for moving said tool within said well bore, a clutch collar surrounding said mandrel, ,a split clutch ring engageable with said mandrel and collar for automatically locking them together upon movement of said mandrel Ain one longitudinal direction within said well bore and for automatically releasing them from one another to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel within -said collar upon movement ,of said mandrel in the other longitudinal direcu tion within said well bore, means on said collar engegeaibie with said clutch ring to prevent its rotation, and means on said mandrel engageable with said ring to expand it from engagement with said mandrel upon rotation of the latter to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel in' both directions within said collar.

2. A well tool adapted for operation in a well bore. including a mandrel conneotable to a running-in string for moving said tool within said bore. a clutch collar surrounding said mandrel, a split clutch ring engagea'ble with said mandrel and collar for locking them together, means on prevent its-rotation, and means on said mandrel engageable 'with said ring to expand` it from engagement with said mandrel upon rotation of the latter to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel in both directions within said collar. ,3..A well tool, including a. mandrel connectable to a running-in string for moving said tool i within a well casing, slips foranchoring said tool collar 30 and clutch ring 4| are automatically coupled to the mandrel to prevent the expander i3 from moving-upwardly within the slips Il,

which action would anchor them to the casing. l

The tool can now be removedfrom the well bore, even though the mandrel l0 has not been lowered through the drag device t0 the fullest extent possible, as is necessary in the J-vtypes of a lock devices. In any position in which upward movement oi the mandrel lll takes place, thedrag device 25 and slipsy I1 are immediately cou# pled thereto to preclude their relative movement.

The only condition under whichthe mandrel Ill can move upwardly with respect tothe drag device 25 is one in which the tubular string C and mandrel I O are rotated in the proper direction to release the coupling ring 4I from the ratchet tool from thewell bore, or to locate it in another position. the drag device 25 lremains locked to the to said well casing. an expander movable within Asaid slips for shifting them to casing anchoring position upon elevation ofA said mandrel within said well casing, a drag device coupled to said slips and engageable with said casing to resist movement oi said slips therewithin,r clutch means 'comprising a split, contractile rim;` for locking said drag device to said'mandrel to prevent eil`` t pansionof said slips by said expande), to casing anchoring position upon elevation of said mandrel, means on said drag device engagelalblewithv said ring to prevent its rotation, and means on said mandrel 'engageable with said ring to ex- .pand it from engagement with said mandrel upon rotation of the latter to permit said mandrel to move within said drag device and wedge said expander within said slips.

well packer with-its' parts mandrel 10,'andthis locking action is increased v by the wedging of the ring 4i against the tapered surface .-49 of thecollar 30, whichtends force tothe inherent. characto contract and .remain in mandrel (see Figure '8). a lock device has to.v add its locking teristic of the ring 4| It is therefore apparent that Y 4. A well tool, including a mandrel connectable toa running-in string for moving said tool within a'weli casing, slips for anchoring said tool to said 'well casing, an expander adapted to be wedged upwardly in said slips to shift them to casing anchoring position upon elevation of said mandrel within Vsaid well casing.. a drag devicel coupled to 4said Aslips and engageable with said casing to resist movement of said slips therewithin, -a split clutch Yring engageable .with said been provided, which can function to couple the elements of a well tool together in var'ious positions of the device. rather than only a single,

mandrel and drag devicev for locking them togetherfto prevent wedging of -said expander in said slips upon elevation of said' mandrel, means on said drag device engageable with said'clut'ch ring to prevent, its rotation, and means on said mandrel engageable withv said ring to render zitmit elevation of said mandrel within said drag device and eiect upward wedging of said ex pander within said slips.

5. A well tool, including a mandrel connectable to a running-in string for moving said tool within` a well casing, normally retracted means carried by said mandrel for engagement with said casing, means operable by said mandrel for expanding said normally retracted means into engagement with said casing, clutch means releasably locking said mandrel and casing en'- gaging means together to hold the latter in retracted position with respect to said casing, said clutch means comprising a clutch 4collar surrounding said mandrel and a-laterally movable clutch element coupling said mandrel and collar together, means on said clutchmeans engageable Ament with said casing.

6. A well tool, including a mandrel connectable to a running-in string for moving said tool within a well casing, normally retracted means [carried by said mandrel for engagement with said casing-means operable by said mandrel for expanding said normally retracted means into engagement with said casing, clutch means reineffective upon rotation of the mandrel to permally retracted means to shift the latter into engagement with said casing.

7. A well tool, including a mandrel connectable to a running-in string for moving said tool within a well casing, slips for anchoring said tool to said well casing, expander means' for moving said slips to casing anchoring position upon upward longitudinal movement of said mandrel within said well casing, means on said mandrel connecting said slips for Joint movement within said casing, a clutch element vadapted to be wedged between said mandrel and connecting means for releasably locking -said mandrel and slips together to prevent movement of the latter leasably locking said mandrel and casing engagv ing means together to hold lthe latter in retracted position with'respect to said casing, said clutch means comprising a clutch collar surl rounding said mandrel and a clutch element adapted to be wedged between said mandrel and collar for locking them together, means on said clutch means engageable with said casing to reto casing anchoring position upon upward movement of said mandrel, means on said connecting means engageable with said casing to resist movement of said connecting means therewithin, and means responsive to rotation of said mandrel *for moving and holding said clutch element from its wedged position between said' mandrel and connecting means to permit upward longitudinal movement of said mandrel with respect to said slips and shifting of the latter by said expander to casing anchoring position.

8. A well tool, including a, mandrel connectable toa running-in string for moving said tool within a well casing, slips for anchoring said tool to said well casing, an expander movable within said slips for shifting them to casing anchoring position upon elevation of said mandrel within said well casing, a drag device coupled to said slips and engageable with said casing to resist movement of said slips therewithin.'

clutch means comprising a clutch element adapted to be wedged between said mandrel and drag device for locking them together to prevent expansion of said slips by said expander to casing anchoring `position upon elevation of said mandrel, and means responsive to rotation of said mandrel for moving and holding said clutch element from its wedged position between said mandrel and drag device to permit said mandrel to l move within said drag device and correspondingly move said expander within said slips.

'REUBEN c. Bam. 

